Ukrainian ministers resign, government reshuffle expected

(Patria) - At least six Ukrainian officials, including cabinet members, have stepped down from their positions ahead of an expected major government reshuffle. The resignations leave vacant some of the highest positions in the government, including the minister for strategic industries responsible for weapons production.

The changes come after the parliamentary leader of the ruling Servant of the People party said that half of the cabinet would be changed in a major government reshuffle this week, reports the BBC.

Among those who submitted resignations last night were Minister of Strategic Industries Alexander Kamyshin, Minister of Justice Denys Maliuska, Minister of Environmental Protection Ruslan Strilets, Deputy Prime Ministers Olha Stefanishyna and Iryna Vereshchuk, and the head of the Ukrainian State Property Fund Vitaliy Koval. One of the president's top aides, Rostyslav Shurma, was also dismissed by presidential decree.

Writing on Telegram, David Arakhamia, the parliamentary leader of the ruling Servant of the People party, said: "As promised, a major government reset can be expected this week. More than 50% of the Cabinet of Ministers staff will be changed. Tomorrow we will have a day of dismissals, and the day after tomorrow a day of appointments."

Speaking during his nightly video address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that state institutions "should be configured so that Ukraine achieves all the results we need" ahead of his visit to the United States next month, where he is expected to present a "victory plan" to President Joe Biden.

"For this, we need to strengthen some areas of government, and changes in its composition are prepared. There will also be changes in the (presidential) office," he said.

Opposition lawmaker Iryna Gerashchenko criticized the government reshuffle, stating that this is a "Government without ministers. A parliament without a mono-majority. An intellectual and personnel crisis that the authorities are turning a blind eye to." She called for a government of unity and an end to the control of the government by President Zelensky's political team.

On the same day the changes were announced, a Russian strike on the central city of Poltava killed 51 people and injured another 271. Zelensky promised that Russia would pay for the attack and reiterated calls for the West to deliver more air defense "that can protect us from Russian terror."

President Zelensky has reshuffled his government several times since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In May last year, he dismissed Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov after a series of corruption scandals, and earlier this year he dismissed the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, Valerii Zaluzhnyi.

At least five government ministries, including the portfolios for infrastructure and agriculture, have remained vacant since ministers either resigned or were dismissed earlier this year. Zelensky's first presidential term was supposed to end in May 2024, but he remains in his position under martial law.